A&M Corps of Cadets dorm burglars caught

By mwesp

Created 12/13/2012 - 11:23am

POSTED: Thursday, December 13, 2012 - 11:23am

UPDATED: Thursday, December 13, 2012 - 11:24am

COLLEGE STATION, TX — A string of burglaries in an unlikely place had Texas A&M police on high alert after more than 45 Corps of Cadets dorm rooms were burglarized during home football games this season.

Now police say they have identified the men behind the crimes and the news shocked Corps members.

It was a crime of opportunity; during home football games every Corps of Cadets member was at Kyle Field, leaving the Corps quad deserted.

"We leave our doors unlocked during the games because we trust our fellow Corps buddies," said freshman Patrick Tansey.

That's when police say brothers 24-year-old Jovan Martinez and Eleazar Martinez broke into more than 46 Corps of Cadet dorm rooms in five different buildings, stealing anything they could get their hands on.

"One of my sophomores had their iPad taken, money was taken from wallets, another buddy lost a DVD collection," said junior Will Mazurek. "Anything that was small enough for them to get their hands on was fair game."

And while the rash of break-ins shocked students, it's the men police say are responsible --both former band members of the Corps, that's left members speechless.

"An Aggie doesn't lie, cheat or steal or tolerate those who do," said Tansey. "So you know, that's just something that Aggies have this mutual respect for and they're not supposed to do that to the Aggie family."

Mazurek added, "It's shocking, especially when we found out they had been in the band which meant they were in the Corps. It's like being stabbed in the back by your brother."

Police were able to recover most of the stolen property and return it back to its rightful owners.

Jovan Martinez has been charged with three counts of burglary of a habitation and Eleazar has an active warrant out for his arrest.

We're told Eleazar is expected to turn himself into police Thursday afternoon.